What is Section 508
General Overview
In 1998, Congress amended the Rehabilitation Act to require Federal agencies to make their electronic and information technology accessible to people with disabilities. Inaccessible technology interferes with an individual's ability to obtain and use information quickly and easily. Section 508 was enacted to eliminate barriers in information technology, to make available new opportunities for people with disabilities, and to encourage development of technologies that will help achieve these goals. The law applies to all Federal agencies when they develop, procure, maintain, or use electronic and information technology. Under Section 508 (29 U.S.C. ‘ 794d), agencies must give disabled employees and members of the public access to information that is comparable to the access available to others. It is recommended that you review the laws and regulations listed below to further your understanding about Section 508 and how you can support implementation.
Why Section 508 is Important to you and your company?
While the law of Section 508 only applies to the government, many companies big and small are working to convert their websites, documentation, audio & video information and their other types of digital mediums, to meet section 508 Guidelines. This is primarily caused by the class action lawsuit, National Federation of the Blind (NFB) VS. Target. Target ended up settling this lawsuit out of court, where among other things ended paying six million in damages. You can read the Full and Final Settlement here.